US7726725B2 - Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias - Google Patents

Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias Download PDF

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Publication number
US7726725B2
US7726725B2 US11/891,117 US89111707A US7726725B2 US 7726725 B2 US7726725 B2 US 7726725B2 US 89111707 A US89111707 A US 89111707A US 7726725 B2 US7726725 B2 US 7726725B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fascia
reinforcement structure
reinforcement
reinforcing
attached
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US11/891,117
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English (en)
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US20090039676A1 (en
Inventor
John L. Thelen
Steven R. Roddy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Magna International Inc
Original Assignee
Magna International Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Magna International Inc filed Critical Magna International Inc
Priority to US11/891,117 priority Critical patent/US7726725B2/en
Assigned to MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC. reassignment MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: RODDY, STEVEN R., THELEN, JOHN L.
Priority to EP08014097.3A priority patent/EP2022681B1/de
Publication of US20090039676A1 publication Critical patent/US20090039676A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7726725B2 publication Critical patent/US7726725B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
    • B60R19/02—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects
    • B60R19/18—Bumpers, i.e. impact receiving or absorbing members for protecting vehicles or fending off blows from other vehicles or objects characterised by the cross-section; Means within the bumper to absorb impact
    • B60R2019/1886—Bumper fascias and fastening means therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mechanism for reinforcing the structural integrity of a fascia.
  • fascia which extends along the front end and/or the rear end in order to absorb energy from front and/or rear end impacts.
  • the fascias are designed to improve the aesthetics of the vehicle by covering up components of the vehicle with an exterior surface that complies with the class A standards set by car manufacturers for OEMs.
  • the fascia When the fascia is mounted to the vehicle, it extends along the front end and/or rear end and is curved towards the wheel base.
  • the section between the front end and/or rear end in the wheel base is known as a wing, and a wing typically has a reduced structural integrity due to the shape of the wing.
  • This area of the fascia is also referred to as a featureless area due to the wing having less structural integrity then other portions of the fascia.
  • Car manufacturers have a standard known as the “firm feel guidelines” in which a vehicle component must have adequate structural integrity to support a force applied by a person. Due to the size and shape of the wing portion of the fascia, the wing must be reinforced in order to satisfy the firm feel guidelines. However, it is time consuming and costly to increase the structural integrity of the wing. The thickness of the wing can be increased in order to add structural integrity to the wing, however, to do this the injection molding or forming tooling must be altered to accommodate the increased size of the wing. Thus, the retooling for this improvement adds to the time and cost of manufacturing the fascia. Increasing the thickness of the fascia wing using the same material used to produce other portions of the fascia, can be costly due to the material cost typically used to manufacture the fascia.
  • One alternate design involves using a second material placed behind the fascia which is less expensive while adding the necessary structural integrity.
  • a second material placed behind the fascia which is less expensive while adding the necessary structural integrity.
  • an expandable foam can be injected between the fascia wing and the vehicle in order to increase the thickness of the wing.
  • the present invention relates to a mechanism for reinforcing a fascia including at least one reinforcement structure and at least one strengthening feature.
  • the reinforcement structure is attached to the fascia so that at least a portion of the fascia is covered by the reinforcement structure.
  • the strengthening feature is on at least one side of the reinforcement structure.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure for reinforcing a fascia in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a structure for reinforcing a fascia in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view across the line 3 - 3 in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a structure for reinforcing a fascia in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a structure for reinforcing a fascia in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a fascia 12 has at least one reinforcement structure 14 that is attached to the fascia 12 in order to reinforce or increase the energy absorption characteristics of the fascia 12 .
  • the reinforcement structure 14 is a vacuum formed material that has at least one strengthening feature 16 that extends along the reinforcement structure 14 .
  • the strengthening feature 16 creates the reinforcing characteristics of the reinforcement structure 14 which ultimately increase the energy absorption characteristics of the fascia 12 .
  • the reinforcement structure 14 is connected to the fascia 12 by an attachment mechanism 18 .
  • the attachment mechanism 18 used, by way of example but not limitation, is tape attachment, sonic weld, clips, fasteners, adhesives, or heat stake.
  • the fascia 12 can be pre-manufactured, such that the reinforcement structure 14 is connected to the fascia 12 by the attachment mechanism 18 in a secondary manufacturing step after the fascia 12 is formed.
  • a secondary manufacturing step By implementing a secondary manufacturing step, the tooling costs of producing the fascia 12 are reduced due to the injection molding or forming tool used to produce the fascia 12 being simplified by not requiring the tool to have the features needed to create the reinforcement structure 14 at the time the fascia 12 is produced.
  • a plurality of strengthening features 16 are provided. Strengthening features 16 extend along the reinforcement structure 14 but do not all extend in the same direction along the reinforcement structure 14 . The reason for this is that when all of the strengthening features 16 extend in the same direction, the reinforcement structure 14 can bend or fold along a contour line 19 that extends along the entire length of the reinforcement structure 14 in between strengthening features 16 .
  • the strengthening features 16 are areas of the reinforcement structure 14 that have an increased thickness when compared to the remaining areas of the reinforcement structure 14 .
  • the strengthening features 16 are made out of the same material as the remaining portions of the reinforcement structure 14 .
  • a second material can be used to form the strengthening feature 16 , such that the second material is formed with the material used to make the reinforcement structure 14 .
  • the reinforcement structure 14 can be made of a polypropylene material or an acryolnitryl styrene acrylic copolymer (ASA) or equivalents, modifications, blends, or copolymers thereof.
  • ASA acryolnitryl styrene acrylic copolymer
  • the above materials are preferred due to their weight to strength ratio and their forming characteristics.
  • the above materials have strength characteristics that support a greater amount of force than their weight, so that the additional weight added to the vehicle when the reinforcement structure 14 is mounted to the fascia 12 is minimized yet a highly durable reinforcement structure 14 is being used.
  • the above materials can be molded or formed in order to fit the desired shape of the fascia 12 .
  • the cost of producing the tooling to form the above materials is more economical than the tooling cost to develop an injection molder to include a reinforcement structure 14 with the fascia 12 .
  • the preferred material is generally a more economic material when compared to costs of other materials, such as the typical material used on the remaining portions of the fascia 12 .
  • the reinforcement structure 14 can be manufactured and attached to the fascia 12 in a relatively short period of time due to the ease of forming and shaping the above materials.
  • one embodiment of a pattern for the strengthening feature 16 is set forth wherein the strengthening features 16 has a focal point 20 in approximately the center of the reinforcement structure 14 , and the strengthening features 16 radially extend from the focal point 20 .
  • the strengthening features 16 are extending in a variety of directions along the reinforcement structure 14 , so that the contour line 19 between strengthening features 16 does not extend across the entire reinforcement structure 14 .
  • FIG. 2 another example of a pattern for the strengthening features 16 is set forth wherein a center point 22 can be placed in the center of the reinforcement structure 14 , and the strengthening feature 16 circumferentially extends around the center point 22 .
  • the reinforcement structure 14 has the strengthening features 16 such as by way of illustration but not limitation, features that extend horizontally, vertically, diagonally, in a semi-circular manner ( FIG. 4 ) or in a criss crossing manner ( FIG. 5 ), or any combination thereof across the length of the reinforcement structure 16 .
  • the reinforcement structure 14 is attached to the fascia 12 at a featureless area of the fascia 12 .
  • a featureless area of the fascia 12 is a portion of the fascia 12 that has less structural integrity than the remaining portions of the fascia 12 .
  • a typical fascia is mounted to the front end or rear end of a vehicle (not shown) and extends from the front end or the rear end towards a wheel base (not shown).
  • the portion of the fascia 14 that extends from the front end or rear end towards the wheel base is typically known as a wing and is a featureless area.
  • the reinforcement structure 14 is attached to the fascia 12 on the interior side of the fascia 12 in order to increase the energy absorption characteristics of the fascia 12 , so that the fascia 12 satisfy the “firm feel guidelines.”
  • the reinforcement structure 14 can be attached to the interior side of the fascia 12 so that the reinforcement structure 14 does not interfere or damage the exterior surface of the fascia 12 which most likely complies with the class “A” specifications for an exterior finish of a motorized vehicle. Further, any number of reinforcement structures 14 are attached to the fascia 12 , depending on the number of featureless areas of the fascia in which the structural integrity needs to be enhanced. For example, the fascia 12 typically has two wings so that two reinforcement structures 14 will be attached to the two wings in order to enhance the energy absorbing characteristics of the fascia 12 .
  • any number of reinforcement structures 14 are attached to any number of featureless areas of the fascia 12 , in order for the fascia 12 to have enhanced energy absorption characteristics such that the fascia 12 satisfies the “firm feel guidelines” and the reinforcement structure 14 maintains the shape of the fascia 12 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
  • Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US11/891,117 2007-08-09 2007-08-09 Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias Expired - Fee Related US7726725B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/891,117 US7726725B2 (en) 2007-08-09 2007-08-09 Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias
EP08014097.3A EP2022681B1 (de) 2007-08-09 2008-08-07 Vakuumgebildete sich fest anfühlende Verstärkung für Stoßfängerbretter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/891,117 US7726725B2 (en) 2007-08-09 2007-08-09 Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090039676A1 US20090039676A1 (en) 2009-02-12
US7726725B2 true US7726725B2 (en) 2010-06-01

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/891,117 Expired - Fee Related US7726725B2 (en) 2007-08-09 2007-08-09 Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US7726725B2 (de)
EP (1) EP2022681B1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120298436A1 (en) * 2010-02-09 2012-11-29 Kim Ho Engine hood
US10300865B2 (en) 2016-06-05 2019-05-28 Yakima Products, Inc. Fork-mount bicycle carrier
US10857949B2 (en) 2017-04-18 2020-12-08 Yakima Products, Inc. Fork mount bicycle carrier
US20220017173A1 (en) * 2018-12-18 2022-01-20 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Decorative molded article

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2983442B1 (fr) * 2011-12-06 2016-08-26 Faurecia Bloc Avant Ensemble de pare-chocs de vehicule automobile comportant un renfort rapporte.

Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3940176A (en) * 1973-06-12 1976-02-24 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle body construction
US4402545A (en) * 1980-02-27 1983-09-06 Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Stiffened automobile body structure
EP0150636A1 (de) 1984-01-16 1985-08-07 Automobiles Peugeot Pressstoffstossstange
JPS6422653A (en) 1987-07-20 1989-01-25 Nissan Motor Bumper structure for vehicle
US5092643A (en) * 1989-10-30 1992-03-03 Toyoda Gosei Co, Ltd. Automobile bumper
US5918663A (en) * 1995-07-27 1999-07-06 Behr Gmbh & Co. Cooling device for a motor vehicle
US5922926A (en) * 1997-05-27 1999-07-13 Mainstream Engineering Corporation Method and system for the destruction of hetero-atom organics using transition-alkaline-rare earth metal alloys
US6245415B1 (en) * 1997-03-07 2001-06-12 Cascade Engineering, Inc. Structural article of relatively large dimensions
US6306964B1 (en) * 1993-07-13 2001-10-23 Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation Polyether amine modification of polypropylene
WO2001092064A1 (en) 2000-05-31 2001-12-06 Textron Automotive Company Inc. Motor vehicle bumper
EP1172260A2 (de) 2000-07-14 2002-01-16 Kyoraku Co., Ltd. Fahrzeugstossstange
US6511109B1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2003-01-28 Plastech Engineered Products, Inc. Bumper system for an automotive vehicle
US6793276B2 (en) * 2001-07-30 2004-09-21 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile floor structure
US6846038B1 (en) * 2002-11-26 2005-01-25 General Motors Corporation Integral vehicle front assembly
WO2006008137A1 (de) 2004-07-21 2006-01-26 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Verstärkungselement für einen unteren bereich eines frontstossfängers, sowie damit ausgerüsteter frontstossfänger für ein kraftfahrzeug
US7052075B2 (en) * 2000-07-10 2006-05-30 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicular body panel or component part and method for manufacturing same
US7195306B2 (en) * 2005-04-15 2007-03-27 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Floor structure of vehicle body
FR2903358A1 (fr) 2006-07-06 2008-01-11 Faurecia Bloc Avant Procede de realisation d'une serie de pare-chocs pour vehicule automobile et serie de pare-chocs associee.
US20090152882A1 (en) * 2007-12-18 2009-06-18 Hyundai Motor Company Combination bumper cover and stiffener for vehicles
US20090267364A1 (en) * 2008-04-29 2009-10-29 Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. Vehicle front end assembly

Patent Citations (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3940176A (en) * 1973-06-12 1976-02-24 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle body construction
US4402545A (en) * 1980-02-27 1983-09-06 Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. Stiffened automobile body structure
EP0150636A1 (de) 1984-01-16 1985-08-07 Automobiles Peugeot Pressstoffstossstange
JPS6422653A (en) 1987-07-20 1989-01-25 Nissan Motor Bumper structure for vehicle
US5092643A (en) * 1989-10-30 1992-03-03 Toyoda Gosei Co, Ltd. Automobile bumper
US6306964B1 (en) * 1993-07-13 2001-10-23 Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation Polyether amine modification of polypropylene
US5918663A (en) * 1995-07-27 1999-07-06 Behr Gmbh & Co. Cooling device for a motor vehicle
US6245415B1 (en) * 1997-03-07 2001-06-12 Cascade Engineering, Inc. Structural article of relatively large dimensions
US5922926A (en) * 1997-05-27 1999-07-13 Mainstream Engineering Corporation Method and system for the destruction of hetero-atom organics using transition-alkaline-rare earth metal alloys
US6511109B1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2003-01-28 Plastech Engineered Products, Inc. Bumper system for an automotive vehicle
WO2001092064A1 (en) 2000-05-31 2001-12-06 Textron Automotive Company Inc. Motor vehicle bumper
US7052075B2 (en) * 2000-07-10 2006-05-30 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicular body panel or component part and method for manufacturing same
EP1172260A2 (de) 2000-07-14 2002-01-16 Kyoraku Co., Ltd. Fahrzeugstossstange
US6793276B2 (en) * 2001-07-30 2004-09-21 Mazda Motor Corporation Automobile floor structure
US6846038B1 (en) * 2002-11-26 2005-01-25 General Motors Corporation Integral vehicle front assembly
WO2006008137A1 (de) 2004-07-21 2006-01-26 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Verstärkungselement für einen unteren bereich eines frontstossfängers, sowie damit ausgerüsteter frontstossfänger für ein kraftfahrzeug
US7195306B2 (en) * 2005-04-15 2007-03-27 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Floor structure of vehicle body
FR2903358A1 (fr) 2006-07-06 2008-01-11 Faurecia Bloc Avant Procede de realisation d'une serie de pare-chocs pour vehicule automobile et serie de pare-chocs associee.
US20090152882A1 (en) * 2007-12-18 2009-06-18 Hyundai Motor Company Combination bumper cover and stiffener for vehicles
US20090267364A1 (en) * 2008-04-29 2009-10-29 Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. Vehicle front end assembly

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120298436A1 (en) * 2010-02-09 2012-11-29 Kim Ho Engine hood
US10300865B2 (en) 2016-06-05 2019-05-28 Yakima Products, Inc. Fork-mount bicycle carrier
US10857949B2 (en) 2017-04-18 2020-12-08 Yakima Products, Inc. Fork mount bicycle carrier
US11858471B2 (en) 2017-04-18 2024-01-02 Yakima Products, Inc. Fork mount bicycle carrier
US20220017173A1 (en) * 2018-12-18 2022-01-20 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Decorative molded article

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2022681B1 (de) 2015-06-17
EP2022681A2 (de) 2009-02-11
US20090039676A1 (en) 2009-02-12
EP2022681A3 (de) 2009-11-25

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Owner name: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC., CANADA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THELEN, JOHN L.;RODDY, STEVEN R.;REEL/FRAME:019972/0306;SIGNING DATES FROM 20071011 TO 20071015

Owner name: MAGNA INTERNATIONAL INC.,CANADA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:THELEN, JOHN L.;RODDY, STEVEN R.;SIGNING DATES FROM 20071011 TO 20071015;REEL/FRAME:019972/0306

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